Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area

Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), this state recreation area offers a variety of experiences for wildlife watchers. As the park sits atop a barrier island, there are diverse habitat types ranging from sandy beach and coastal strand on the east side of A1A to tidal marsh and maritime hammock on the west side. Watch for Manatees in Smith Creek and Brown Pelicans, Ruddy Turnstones ,and Royal Terns along the beach. Sea turtles nest on the beach in spring and summer. Walk the Joe Kenner Nature Trail through the hammock in search of nesting birds such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher and White-eyed Vireo. Warblers and other songbird migrants pass through in spring and fall, and a butterfly garden is located by the trailhead. The creek and restored wetlands on the ICW are home to Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Glossy Ibis and the occasional Roseate Spoonbill. Don’t forget to look up now and then for Cooper’s Hawk, Wood Stork, Chimney Swift and Purple Martin. Visitors may rent a canoe, kayak, or bicycle here, and several camping options are available.